There is nothing quite like the feeling of being newly engaged. Thinking of a life with the person you love most should put you on cloud nine. We want to help you stay there even through the process of planning your wedding. It goes without saying that it can be stressful trying to get all the pieces to come together for the perfect day. These are the most common stressors we see as planners, with a little bit of advice to help you navigate them gracefully.
- Creating and Sticking to a Budget
It goes without saying that the number one thing couples stress over regarding their wedding is money. Weddings are not cheap, and without a budget in place, you can spend way more than you ever intended. While having the budget conversation might be a little uncomfortable, it is the most necessary step to ensuring you have a plan that you are able to follow on your wedding planning journey. When you know what is available to spend, it makes saying yes and no easier, which eliminates stress down the line.
- Figuring Out the Guest List
The dreaded guest list. Why must it be so hard? There is no right or wrong way to do this one – it comes down to each couple, what your budget is, and what your hopes are for your day. In general, when there are people you are unsure about inviting, we ask the questions: Have you spoken to them in the last six months? Would you take them out for an expensive meal on any given day? Thinking about those things will help you decide whether having them at your wedding is a must.
- Family Dynamics
We all have a little bit of family drama, and trying to accommodate that on your wedding day can feel overwhelming. The hope is that anyone who is invited to your wedding will be there to celebrate your love and will put the issues aside for the sake of your day. If you are worried that won’t happen but it is a person who must attend, we suggest having a conversation with them beforehand about your expectations so everyone can have an enjoyable experience. We also suggest sharing any tricky family dynamics with your planner and photographer so they can both work to ease any tensions that may arise.
- Choosing the Right Vendors
When you begin researching vendors, it can be hard to know how to choose the best one for you when there are so many options out there. We always tell our clients that it’s better to ask all the questions from the beginning than to wish you had known something at the end. Before you sign a contract with a vendor, having a meeting – whether that be a phone call, video chat, or an in-person conversation – can help you determine if you are both the right fit for each other. This can alleviate any doubts before you make that commitment.
- Last Minute Details
In general, the last-minute arrangements are always the most stressful. Something about being down to the wire makes you feel a little crazed. Inevitably, there will be a few things that end up being forgotten or can’t be decided on until the weeks or days before. The best way to navigate those things is to make sure that everything else that can be done ahead of time gets done. Creating checklists and staying on top of them will be your dearest friend during the planning process. Be kind to yourself when unforeseen circumstances come up; there are people willing to help, and no matter what, you’ll be married at the end of it all.
Wedding planning, while a little stressful at times, should be one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life. With a little help, you can manage the stress that will come with ease. Remember it all leads you to an entire day of celebrating your love story followed by an entire life with your favorite person. We hope our advice will be a small voice that guides you on your way to creating the day of your dreams.
